PALMER STATION
SCIENCE SITREP SEPTEMBER 1996
NEWS FROM THE LABS (Marian Moyher - Supervisor, Laboratory Operations):
The weather is lousy. For half of the month, when the winds have
not been blowing over 20 knots, thick brash ice has been in the
harbor. This combination has ceased all boating activities. The
prevailing wind direction is from the north, and in one week, our
snow pack decreased by 30 centimeters at the snow stake. Adelie
penguins were spotted for the first time on the 26th, struggling in
the brash.
The instrument and computer technicians combined to help set up the
Waters HPLC with an older software package. Though initial efforts
were frustrated by incompatible formats, the computer technician
prevailed. The instrument tech will insure that the computer
configuration is saved in compressed format, pictures taken of the
current setup, and a procedure written that will ease the process
in the future. The optimal situation would be to leave instruments
set up, and the instrument tech is working with Facilities to
increase available space in lab 6 by adding a shelf to accommodate
computers, monitors and printers.
With two arriving science groups at the end of the month (Fraser
and Vleck), on site science is condensing some of their operations.
The third science group (Jeffrey) will stay on board the Duke,
joined by members of Delong's group, for the first science cruise
of the austral spring. ASA science support has been busy insuring
adequate instrument and supply support of both venues.
Those arriving on station this year will notice that the science
books have been moved from GWR to the grantee office next to lab 9.
This was done to accommodate the video editing equipment moved to
make room for the GWR women's bathroom. The microfiche remained in
GWR. I would like to improve our library holdings, and encourage
all our grantees to make recommendations regarding new book
acquisitions and to provide us with reprints of your
antarctic-based publications. I am also rounding up historic video
footage of study sites, and starting a slide archive. Copies of
video tapes and a few extra slides of your work here can be used as
reference by researchers and for tourist presentation. Please
feel free to contact Alice Doyle (ASAHQ) or Marian (Palmer) with
questions.
S-007 UV PHOTOBIOLOGY OF PLANKTONIC DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF
ANTARCTIC BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES. CO P.Is.: Deneb Karentz,
University of San Francisco and Isidro Bosch, State
University of New York, Geneseo.
PERSONNEL ON STATION: Isidro Bosch, Deneb Karentz, Ross Hein, Andy
Opett and Greg Wardle
Our aim is to determine the extent to which levels of UV-B in
Antarctic surface waters during the springtime period of ozone
depletion affect the development and survival of planktonic
developmental stages (gametes, embryos, larvae) of benthic marine
invertebrates. Our research effort involves sampling of natural
plankton populations and manipulations of specimens reared in the
laboratory, including experiments in outdoor tanks and in situ.
Much of our efforts since our Sept 2 arrival at Palmer Station
have been devoted to the preparation of equipment for the
collection (e.g. plankton pump, PUV radiometer) and analyses (HPLC,
spectrofluorometer) of field data and for laboratory and outdoor
experiments (e.g. plankton culture devices, outdoor tanks,
dosimeter racks). We have made five SCUBA dives to collect adult
invertebrates from Arthur Harbor and Hero Inlet. One species in
particular, the sea star Psilaster charcoti, has provided ample
material for our investigations throughout the month of September.
The susceptibility of gametes and embryos of Psilaster to UV-B has
been investigated in the laboratory with artificial UV sources, and
in outdoor and in situ experiments under "normal" and depleted
ozone conditions. Analyses to determine ontogenetic changes in the
presence of UV screening compounds are presently under way. Two
other invertebrate species, the limpet Nacella concinna and the sea
urchin Sterechinus neumayeri, have also been collected in
preparation for similar studies of their UV-photobiology. In
addition to our experimental work on selected benthic invertebrates
we have initiated field work to determine the vertical distribution
of benthic invertebrate larvae relative to in water UV levels and
to various other biological and physical oceanographic conditions.
Samples have been collected in off- shore waters from the R/V Polar
Duke, and in coastal waters using small vessels.
S-016 LONG TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH (LTER) ON THE ANTARCTIC
MARINE ECOSYSTEM: AN ICE DOMINATED ENVIRONMENT.
PHYTOPLANKTON COMPONENT. Dr. Maria Vernet, Scripps
Institution of Oceanography, Marine Research Division, La
Jolla, CA.
No personnel were on station.
Station personnel collected and filtered weekly water samples for
later analysis of chlorophyll content.
S-024 ANTARCTIC MARINE ARCHAEBACTERIA; BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
AND ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE. Edward DeLong, University of
California, Marine Science Institute, Santa Barbara,
California 93106.
PERSONNEL ON STATION: Alison Murray, Christina Preston, Ramon
Massana
S-024 field team objectives during the month of September
included sampling, monitoring archaeal abundance by in situ
hybridization, assaying physiological activity, and conducting
picoplankton microcosm enrichment experiments. Zodiac operations
opened September 4, and when weather conditions cooperated, the team
sampled seawater at 2 depths at stations within the 2-nautical mile
boating limit, at 5 stations (LTER stations A, B, J, F, and a site
between Litchfield and Breaker Islands). Sites were sampled between
1 and 4 times during the month depending on accessibility to the
location. The seawater intake system in the pumphouse was also
sampled throughout the month, to extend the sampling record we
initiated August 4.
With the arrival of the Polar Duke on 2 September and having an
extended port call, we were very fortunate to have coordinated a
sampling day trip on the Polar Duke on 6 September. We were able
to complete 4 CTD casts at three sites off the southwest of Anvers
Island, in the Palmer Basin region. Casts were taken on a transect
5, 10, and 15 nautical miles from shore, with the 5 and 10 mile
casts to 500 m, and the 15 mile cast to a depth of 1200 m. From
all field samples, biomass is collected for rRNA hybridization
experiments to determine relative abundance of the archaea with
respect to the bacterial and eukaryal components of the
picoplankton, and for DGGE/PCR analysis of community structure and
composition. At the same time prokaryotic cell concentration,
chlorophyll analysis, and samples for in situ hybridization
experiments were collected, and processed at Palmer Station.
Secondly, in situ hybridization studies documenting the absolute
abundance of archaea in seawater samples were continued.
Preliminary findings suggest that the planktonic archaeal
concentration in nearby seawaters have declined in comparison to
samples collected in early August. Depth profiles in the Palmer
Basin suggest a decrease in Archael cells at depth, compared to
surface, and sub-surface concentrations.
The physiological activity studies focusing on measuring in situ
archaeal activity have been extended. We are using radioactive
incorporation assays, in combination with metabolic inhibitors of
these pathways, to measure lipid and protein biosynthesis of
archaeal specific lipid and protein synthetic rates. Experiments
were conducted to investigate dose response of the picoplankton
assemblage to different antibiotic inhibitors, and combinations of
inhibitors of lipid and protein biosynthetic pathways specific to
archaeal, bacterial, and eukaryl components of the picoplankton.
The effect of temperature on these biosynthetic rates was also
investigated.
Picoplankton microcosm studies conducted under in situ conditions
in the environmental rooms at Palmer are continuing. A variety of
enrichment conditions and antibiotics were used in an attempt to
identify conditions that favorable for archaeal growth.
S-028 LONG TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH (LTER) ON THE ANTARCTIC
MARINE ECOSYSTEM: AN ICE DOMINATED SYSTEM. SECONDARY
PRODUCTION COMPONENT. Drs. Robin M. Ross & Langdon B.
Quetin, Marine Science Institute, University of California,
Santa Barbara, CA.
No personnel were on station.
Station personnel transferred both the cultures living on station
and several new cultures sent down on R/V POLAR DUKE to replace
some cultures that had died. The light cycle was reset to mimic
the natural winter light. These cultures are being cultivated
throughout the winter for krill grazing experiments.
S-091 GLOBAL SEISMOGRAPH STATION AT PALMER STATION. R. Butler,
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS)
No personnel were on station.
The system has been monitored by the station science technician.
A power outage on 26 September disabled the comms link between the
DA and DP, but packets were buffered in the DA for the twelve
minutes until the return of power restored the link, so no
information was lost. On 27 September, data recording switched
from tape drive /MT0 to /MT1 following a series of "Error 244"
messages from /MT0. This error, probably indicating a comparison
failure following a tape write, has been seen sporadically in the
past. Again, no information was lost in this incident.
S-106 STUDIES OF LIGHTNING-INDUCED ELECTRON PRECIPITATION OF THE
IONOSPHERE. U. Inan, Stanford University.
No personnel were on station.
The system has been monitored by the station science technician. On
23 September, the narrowband system again recorded less than the
normal twelve hours of data. High winds were again present, though
the cause/effect relationship between the wind and lost data is
unclear at this point. A twelve minute power outage on 26
September outlasted the system UPS, but the outage occurred at an
opportune time, and the only loss was one synoptic recording. VCRs
were reset, and the programmer clock was reacquainted with the
external frequency standard after the power returned.
S-204 MEASUREMENTS OF ATMOSPHERIC O2 IN RELATION TO THE GLOBAL
CARBON CYCLE. R. Keeling, Scripps Institution of
Oceanography
Personnel on station: Ralph Keeling.
Ralph Keeling visited Palmer station between Sept 2nd and 11th to
install air sampling apparatus. Apparatus installed in T-5
includes an intake line, a pumping module, and a cryochiller for
removal of water vapor. The samples are to be collected
subsequently on a semi-weekly basis by the station physician and
return shipped to Scripps for analysis of O2 and CO2 content. The
goal of the program is to resolve seasonal and interannual
variations in O2 (detected through changes in O2/N2 ratio) which
can aid in the determination of rates of marine biological
productivity and ocean circulation, and aid in the separation of
total global sink for anthropogenic CO2 into terrestrial and
oceanic CO2 components. The program involves air sampling at a
network of sites in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Palmer
station is especially well situated to resolve signals due to
carbon cycling in the Southern Ocean. During the visit, two sets
of samples were collected at the station. Samples were also
collected on the transits on the Polar Duke across the Drake
Passage. All aspects of the work went very smoothly; the expert
assistance of Greg Packard, Cole Mather, John Booth, and Ralph
Bovard is gratefully acknowledged.
S-254 CHLORINE-AND BROMINE-CONTAINING TRACE GASES IN ANTARCTICA.
Dr. R.A. Rasmussen, Oregon Graduate Institute for Science
and Technology, Portland, OR
No personnel were on station.
Air samples are taken on a weekly basis by the station physician.
The samples are returned to the Institute for analysis of a number
of trace components, especially chlorine- and bromine-containing
gases. These elements have been implicated in the chemical
processes that contribute to the austral-spring depletion of the
ozone layer over Antarctica. This work will contribute to a better
understanding of the buildup of trace constituents, particularly
those of high-latitude marine origin.
S-257C COLLECTION OF ATMOSPHERIC AIR FOR THE NOAA\CMDL WORLDWIDE
FLASK SAMPLING NETWORK. Dr James T. Peterson,
Environmental Research Laboratories, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO
No personnel were on station.
Air samples are taken on a weekly basis by the station physician.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate
Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory team continue long-term
measurements of trace atmospheric constituents that influence
climate. The Palmer Station air samples are returned to the NOAA
laboratory for analysis of trace constituents, including carbon
dioxide. These measurements are part of NOAA's effort to determine
and assess the long-term buildup of global pollutants in the
atmosphere. These data will be used to determine how the rate of
change of these parameters affects climate, particularly by
including them in climate model studies.
S-275 UM/DOE-EML REMOTE ATMOSPHERIC MEASUREMENTS PROGRAM.
J. Prospero/T. Snowdon, University of Miami; C. Sanderson,
Department of Energy-Environmental Measurements Laboratory
No personnel were on station.
The system has been operated by the station science technician.
One sample filter was exposed for the duration of each week, and a
weekly schedule of calibration, background, and sample counts was
maintained. New batteries were installed in the RAMP equipment on
18 September. The old batteries were several years past their
projected lifetimes and were no longer operating the equipment
during power outages. The replacement batteries proved their worth
on 26 September when the system weathered a twelve minute power
outage without a glitch. The DEAN air sampling pump was non-
operational for the duration of the outage. Following the
replacement of the batteries it was noticed that the LLD value in
the MCA had changed. After consultation with EML in New York, the
parameter was reset to its former value.
T-312 TERASCAN SATELLITE IMAGING SYSTEM. R. Whritner, Scripps
Institution of Oceanography
No personnel were on station.
The system has been operated by the station science technician.
Throughout the month of August, the TeraScan system collected,
archived, and processed DMSP and NOAA telemetry, maintaining a
schedule of 15-17 passes per day. NOAA telemetry was archived for
S-032 when the LTER grid was clear. Transmissions from the Hugo
Island AWS were last received on 28 September, and the University
of Wisconsin has been notified. TOVS total ozone information was
extracted from NOAA-12 passes and archived for S-200 throughout
the month. The software patch provided by SeaSpace, Inc., that
was installed at the end of August did not fix the problem of the
antenna azimuth "freezing" during pass tracking, and occasional
passes, particularly at high elevation, continued to have sections
with dropped telemetry. Further samples of the problem were
provided to SeaSpace early in the month, but no action had been
forthcoming by the end of the month.
T-513 UV MONITORING NETWORK. C. Booth, Biospherical Instruments,
Inc.
No personnel were on station.
The system has been operated by the station science technician.
Throughout the month, raw irradiance data were collected daily and
transmitted to BSI, and preliminary irradiances and integrals were
produced in support of Science. Meetings were held with grantees
from S-007 and S-200 to ascertain their needs for preliminary UV
data, and data files have been provided on a daily basis. Absolute
scans were performed on 09 and 26 September. HV levels and the
scan schedule were monitored throughout the month and adjusted as
necessary to compensate for rapidly changing daylight conditions.
A power outage on 26 September aborted the local noon data scan.
When the power was restored, the system automatically ran a
wavelength scan. The 9.9 nm offset reported was "Calibrated" away,
and a data scan was initiated manually at 16:19 UT to replace the
one missed at 16:00 UT.